Unboxing the Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens! Comparing it on Z 7, Z 8, and Z 9.

[@deepotterphotography6228]

I had a great time shooting the Canadian International Airshow from the police boat with this lens. The size was very manageable while bobbing around on the lake, and the short throw on the full focal range was incredible to work with when you’ve got the Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornets coming straight at you!

[@taku_kumabe]

Ah yes! That would be a perfect time to use this lens and take advantage of the short throw. Awesome you were able to use it then! I have yet to use it extensively but hope to do so soon!

[@paulconnors2078]

I tested this lens at the B & H Photo Bild expo at in NYC on 8 September. I was amazed at how quickly this lens focused and locked on the subject. I plan on ordering one even though I have the Nikkor 200-500 f5.6 that could use with the FTZ II adapter. My only Z body is the Z9 as I still use several Nikon F mount bodies, to include 2 F100s, an F5 an F6, 2 D750s and a D850.

[@taku_kumabe]

Nice! I find the focusing was quick too in my limited testing of it so far. I never had the 200-500 but kept renting it for whenever I needed it. I'm glad I have this one now.

[@kurt.wang.photography]

Very nice and thorough unboxing video, Taku! Love in body zoom! 👍👍

[@taku_kumabe]

Hey thanks for stopping by Kurt! Yes, I like them too, even though it does make the lens larger to carry!

[@robinc-k7162]

Enjoy your new glass! I will stick to my 500mm f5.6 PF lens paired with the FTZii for now. True it's not as flexible, but I don't want to go up on weight at the moment. I've heard that this lens is not as sharp compared to the 500mm PF. I look forward to your testing!

[@taku_kumabe]

That 500mm PF is a great lens. I've had limited time with that one but from what I can recall I would say it is sharper than the 180-600mm. I've always been a zoom person so I appreciate the flexibility it provides sometimes at the expense of other aspects.

[@robert_may]

Also received mine this past week! So far I'm very pleased with it - performs very well and comes in at a very reasonable weight too. Only downside to it so far is the tripod foot kinda sucks for hand-holding, so I'll be waiting for a better third party one to appear at some point 😄

[@taku_kumabe]

I'm not a fan of the foot collar either but what can you do. Just swing it up if it gets in your way.

[@robert_may]

@@taku_kumabe I usually carry my camera by the foot and it's particularly uncomfortable for that 😅 Really Right Stuff usually make replacement feet/collar assemblies for Nikon gear so I'll wait and see what they come out with I guess!

[@realnikonlover6207]

Still waiting for mine. Thanks for the unboxing review. That was very helpful. I bought a replacement foot for the Z800mm from Kirk Enterprise Solutions. It has the arca grooves in it and the foot is longer so that the lens/camera can be balanced easier on a gimbal. I am hoping for KES to develop a foot for the 180-600 soon.

[@taku_kumabe]

I do too and I agree it's not comfortable. I went ahead and bought an arca swiss long plate from Smallrig but that is a little wider than I expected it to be making it slightly uncomfortable too. I'll have to see what other manufacturers make too.

[@taku_kumabe]

Does that leg get in the way when you put the lens hood on backward? I read somewhere that it did because it was a little longer. I'll have to see what they make for the 180-600 too. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

[@lindacunningham3005]

Great unboxing video! What are you going to use for an Arctic Swiss plate on your foot? It's sad that we can't just replace the foot on this one with an RRS or Kirk entire foot and that we now need to use a plate.

[@taku_kumabe]

I’m sure in due time someone will come out with an entire foot and collar. I just. Ought a smallrig plate

[@lindacunningham3005]

@@taku_kumabe , thank you! I have many of their other lenses and have done foot replacements. I like the option of switching between hand-holding and using the tripod. I know that the entire foot feels fine in my hand, I'm just not sure that I'll be as "hand-happy" with an extra plate on the foot. I have the Z 800, the 500 PF, the Z 100-400, as well as the Sigma Sport 60-600 so I've got the range covered. Maybe when there's a real collar/foot combination I'll swap that Sigma in my bag and make it completely Nikon. What were they thinking???

[@taku_kumabe]

I don't know, but it just makes way for third party companies to fill in the gap!😄@@lindacunningham3005

[@awingentertainment]

Excellent video! How does the combo of Z7ii +180-600mm Z compare with D850+200-500mm in performance? What's your take on it?

[@taku_kumabe]

I don't have experience with the latter combo, but I would suspect it all boils down to how you like the D850 over the Z 7ii. I prefer the 180-600 over the 200-500. The D850 body weight probably balances well with the lens since the Z 7ii is so much lighter and smaller though!

[@Photographersforyou]

Thanks for the video - you mentioned on a Z9 to carry the lens and the z9, how about walking about can you carry just the lens by the foot OR how about on a tripod can you mount the lens on the tripod and how would you support the Z9 ? Or do you need a lens/camera tripod that supports both - Do you know? Or is it safe to just hold or mount the lens Only ?

[@taku_kumabe]

When I said support the Z 9 and the lens, I meant during shooting, the weight of the camera is noticeable relative to the weight of the lens, compared to the weight of the Z 8 or Z 7. You should be ok with holding the foot of the lens when you're carrying it around though. If the lens is on a tripod, you can support the tripod over your shoulder, or on shorter walks I simply hold the tripod in one hand and the camera in the other hand for added support.

[@Photographersforyou]

@@taku_kumabe Thanks, I will however be mounting the lens on a star tracker by its foot - it will mostly be pointing upwards and the Z9 will be downwards, I just wanted to know if I need support for the weight of the Z9 and if So, do you know if there is a Swiss plate or other that supports both camera and lens when mounting onto star tracker or tripod ?

[@taku_kumabe]

Ah I see. I wouldn't worry too much about that. The Z 9 is heavier than the other bodies but a good plate on the foot of the 180-600 should be enough to support the weight. I just bought a long arca swiss plate from Smallrig that is both long and wider than the foot. It's a solid plate and fits on my tripods (Gitzo ballhead and Manfrotto video head) without issue. I wouldn't worry about leaving my lens pointing up with my setup. It's just a little uncomfortable to hold!

[@Photographersforyou]

@@taku_kumabe Thankyou, so I gather the plate is ONLY for the lens and the camera does not need the plate going all the way to hold camera too ? Also do you have a link to the plate ? Thanks again for the info.

[@Mr09260]

Thanks Taku >> I do Wild Life in Africa >> I have the 70-200 Z plus compatable 1.4 convertor I was planning to get this Lens to give me more reach >> but I see its not S Line >> should I rather get the 400 F4.5 VR ?? Image quality is my No 1 criteria not the convenience of the Z 180 - 600 I shoot with the Z7

[@taku_kumabe]

I do think the 180-600 gives really good results for the price point. I haven't used the 400 f/4.5 but I have heard great things about it. Have you tried the Z 100-400 f/4.5-5.6? That is a really good lens too if you prefer zooms like I do (it also performs really well with the 1.4x). The advantage of the prime 400 is the weight and is slightly faster so you'll need to decide which is your priority.

[@allenriley2483]

Enjoy your new lens😊. Still waiting on mine😂

[@taku_kumabe]

It's worth the wait! :D

[@eprohoda]

Taku-you made epic - goodbbye-

[@taku_kumabe]

thanks!

[@depayanmondal]

You don't need to zoom if your lend is long enough to physically reach the target 🧠☝️

[@davids2720]

Don’t want to be negative, so please take this as the constructive criticism it is meant to be, but the background music is too loud and somewhat distracting. Otherwise a good informative vid. Thanks

[@taku_kumabe]

None taken. Thanks for the feedback. The bg music is a mystery to me still. It's super quiet on my end, yet apparently you can hear it more on your end!